Community blood drives gives citizens a chance to "Be A Hero"

For more than ten years Kimball Health Services has partnered with United Blood Services and will be hosting a blood drive today, August 18 from 2 – 5:30 p.m. at Kimball Health Services. Walk-ins are welcome and appointments can be made by calling 307-638-3326.

United Blood Services holds a drive approximately once every three months in Kimball.

According to UBS, donors must wait seven days between platelet donations, 28 days between plasma donations, 56 days between whole blood donations and 112 days between double red cell donations.

Blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Donors who are 16 (and, in some cases, 17) must have signed permission from a parent or guardian.

According to Stephanie Pedersen, Executive Assistant at Kimball Health Services, the drive will be located next to the nurses station in the hospital.

Donors are asked to bring a photo identification and a donor card. Pedersen further reminds donors to drink plenty of water and eat a hearty meal the day of donation.

UBS rules state that blood donors must be 16 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Further, Donors who are 16 (and, in some cases, 17) must have signed permission from a parent or guardian.

Data states that donated blood, which cannot be manufactured, saves more than 4 million lives annually. Donated blood is needed every two seconds and one of every seven people entering a hospital will need blood.

“We host the events to keep the community aware of the need for this type of service and how beneficial (and even life-saving) this event can be for many people,” Pedersen said.